Negro they say racism is dead
Because our lawns are no longer burning at the cross
Negro they say slavery is over
Because who’s really still pickin cotton?
Negro they say slavery was bad
But look what it built
Look what it inspired
Negro they say they built this place
Negro they say they made this place
Negro it wasn’t them who whipped your ancestors
So who’s really to blame?
Because we are no longer
Hung from trees
Left as a warning for
Our families to see
What’s really the problem?
Negroes can’t walk like a negro
Can’t talk like a negro
Can’t act like a negro
Can’t dance like a Negro
Can’t have hair like a negro
Yet
Negro can’t have a nice car in
Unknown territory
Negro can’t wear hoodie
Negro can’t walk with friends
Negro can’t drive
Negro can’t breathe
Negro can’t believe
the asphalt
Facedown
Memorizing every pebble
Who says we don’t get to see our caskets?
Negro knows what his deathbed
Will look like
Cold to the touch
Running red with his blood
We are taught to be cautious
Hands where we can see them
Slow movements
Slower movements
Answer the question
Don’t resist
Answer the question
Why are you moving?
Don’t. Resist.
We are taught being loud and proud
Is an honor to our people
Who were silenced
Long before they learned to speak
But better to live in fear
Than die a martyr
Better assimilate
To have a chance to procreate
I am afraid
Looking like me
we know the first thing you see
Negro please
Signed,
The Poet
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